362 SUPERIOR POLAR GASTRECTOMY ASSOCIATED WITH ANTI-REFLUX TECHNIQUE: CASE REPORT

Superior polar gastrectomy remains an accepted surgical alternative for proximal gastric tumors, although this approach has higher rates of gastroesophageal reflux since the valvular mechanism of cardias disappears. Thus, an additional technique is needed to avoid its presence. Methods This is a description of surgical technique and short term results of superior polar gastrectomy associated to Kamikawa’s anti-reflux technique in a female patient with proximal gastric cancer. Results A 55 year-old female diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma. Tumor was 3 cm long, from esophago-gastric junction to subcardial region (cT3N1M0). Patient underwent perioperative chemotherapy and surgical intervention 6 weeks later. A laparoscopic superior polar gastrectomy was performed and D1+ lymphadenectomy. A laparotomy was made to externalize the surgical specimen. Saline solution was injected into submucosa of gastric pouch and two seromuscular flaps were dissected. Gastric mucous membrane was opened in the inferior part of the flaps, constructing an esophagogastric end-to-side anastomosis. Seromuscular flaps were sewn overlapping the esophago-gastric anastomosis. Patient presented an optimal postoperative evolution, without heartburn, dysphagia neither vomiting. Conclusion The procedure described here is feasible and performable, and achieves correct oncological results avoiding performing a total gastrectomy and improving the gastroesophageal reflux problems derived from a superior polar gastrectomy.

SURGICAL OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS WITH PROXIMAL GASTRIC CANCER WITHOUT ESOPHAGEAL INVASION

The aim of the study was to improve surgical outcomes in patients with proximal gastric cancer without invading the esophagus.Material and methods. Data regarding lymph node metastasis, short-term postoperative complications/lethality, and long-term outcomes were analyzed in 162 patients with proximal gastric cancer without invasion of the esophagus. All patients underwent gastrosplenectomy with expanded d2 lymph node dissection. The age of the patients ranged from 25 to 91 years, and the median age was 60 years. There were 105 (64.8 %) patients aged over 60 years and 45 (27.8 %) over 70 years.Results. Postoperative complications occurred in 14 patients (8.6 %), 8 of them (4.9 %) died. The 1-, 3- and 5 year survival rates were 85.4 %, 61.8 %, and 38.9 %, respectively.Discussion. In patients with gastric cancer without esophageal invasion, perigastric lymph nodes (№ 3b, 4d) located in segments iv and v are often affected by metastases; therefore, we consider it inexpedient to perform proximal resections in these cases.Conclusion. In patients with proximal gastric cancer without esophageal invasion, it is not advisable to perform proximal subtotal gastric resections due to the high frequency of 3b and 4d lymph node metastases. Postoperative complication and mortality rates were 8.6 % and 4.9 %, respectively in patients who underwent gastrosplenectomy with d2 lymph node dissection.

Various Kinds of Functional Digestive Tract Reconstruction Methods After Proximal Gastrectomy

The incidence of proximal gastric cancer has shown a rising trend in recent years. Surgery is still the main way to cure proximal gastric cancer. Total gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection was considered to be the standard procedure for proximal gastric cancer in the past several decades. However, in recent years, many studies have confirmed that proximal gastrectomy can preserve part of the stomach function and can result in a better quality of life of the patient than total gastrectomy. Therefore, proximal gastrectomy is increasingly used in patients with proximal gastric cancer. Unfortunately, there are some concerns after proximal gastrectomy with traditional esophagogastrostomy. For example, the incidence of reflux esophagitis in patients who underwent proximal gastrectomy with traditional esophagogastrostomy is significantly higher than those patients who underwent total gastrectomy. To solve those problems, various functional digestive tract reconstruction methods after proximal gastrectomy have been proposed gradually. In order to provide some help for clinical treatment, in this article, we reviewed relevant literature and new clinical developments to compare various kinds of functional digestive tract reconstruction methods after proximal gastrectomy mainly from perioperative outcomes, postoperative quality of life and survival outcomes aspects. After comparison and discussion, we drew the conclusion that various functional reconstruction methods have their own advantages and disadvantages; large scale high-level clinical studies are needed to choose an ideal reconstruction method in the future. Besides, in clinical practice, surgeons should consider the condition of the patient for individualized selection of the most appropriate reconstruction method.